Dispensation from Sunday Obligation, Covid-19 Safety Protocols Rescinded

Effective on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), June 4-5th, Archbishop Naumann will lift the dispensation from the obligation for Catholics in the Archdiocese to observe the precept of the Church to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Last year when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the Archbishop dispensed Catholics in this Archdiocse from this precept out of concern for public health and to show good will to public officials who wanted public gatherings restricted to decrease the spread of the virus. However, now that the most vulnerable have had the opportunity to be vaccinated and the country is moving closer to herd immunity, Catholics will be expected to return to church on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

Further, the Archdiocese announced on Wednesday, May 12th, that all diocesan safety protocols relating to COVID are rescinded. Pastors should be aware of guidelines in their particular county or municipality and develop parish guidelines as appropriate, given the demographics of their respective congregations as well as their own personal health situation. Likewise, there are no longer any diocesan Covid-19 guidelines for music ministry in the Archdiocese. Here at QHR-Wea, holy water fonts have been restored and reserved distanced seating has ended. Seating for all Masses has returned to normal. 

No mask mandate exists in Miami County but parishioners are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines. Altar servers and Communion ministers will continue to wear masks while ministering. The procession with the gifts will be restored, but restoration of the sign of peace and Communion from the cup are delayed until a future date.

We will continue to broadcast the Masses on FM 101.9 for those that feel safer listening to Mass in the car. Anyone wanting Communion brought to their car should inform an usher before Mass begins. The 8:30AM Sunday Mass will continue to be live-streamed for those who are homebound, but watching Mass does not fulfill the obligation to participate in Mass in person. 

Those who suffer from underlying health concerns or compromised immunity or who have genuinely serious concerns about the risk of contracting the coronavirus are not bound by the obligation to attend Mass. No one is expected to attend Mass in person when you are sick.